Eagles fly in to Albany (pictures)

The West Coast Eagles held a successful AFL community camp in Albany last week, with 20 players and a number of staff in the region for two days engaging with the local community.

More pictures of the Eagles meeting their fans in Albany

Eagles captain Darren Glass, head coach Adam Simpson along with senior players Dean Cox, Shannon Hurn, Scott Selwood, Luke Shuey and local product Jeremy McGovern were among the squad to make the trip to Albany.

Over the two-day visit, the squad took part in a host of local school visits and clinics while visiting aged care facilities, holding a leadership and coaching forum, and taking the Great Southern Storm for a training session.

They also participated in a community panel night, held a business breakfast and did a number of sponsor visits in a very busy schedule.

Great Southern regional football manager Tom Moir praised the Eagles for their professionalism during the community camp.

“It was great to have the Eagles down, they were all full of energy,” Moir said.

“They hit the ground running from the moment they got here on Thursday to the time they left on Friday.

“They hit the community pretty hard and were a very professional outfit in what they did.”

Moir said the panel night held at Albany PCYC was a huge success with more that 220 people attending.

Some of the proceeds raised from the night and the auction will go towards umpiring in the Great Southern.

Hundreds of children at a number of different schools in Albany were thrilled by the Eagles visit, getting autographs, posters and other giveaways while the AFL players passed on what it was like to be a professional footballer.

Eagles coach Adam Simpson said it was terrific to be in the region for two days.

“It’s fantastic and great to get away,” he said.

“Community camps are about connecting with the community.”

Cox echoed Simpson’s views on the tour of Albany.

“These trips are really important,” Cox said. “It’s about giving back to all the supporters that are away from Perth. Come down here and mingle, go to schools and meet the kids.”

Glass said it was a great opportunity to be in the community for a couple of days and make contact with their supporters.